A HUGE housing development may still be built on Ipswich's former sugar factory as developers today consider the future of the site.Last week plans to turn the area into a housing estate called Broadmeadow with more than 1,000 homes, businesses, a new school and even a cricket pitch were thrown out by the government.

A HUGE housing development may still be built on Ipswich's former sugar factory as developers today consider the future of the site.

Last week plans to turn the area into a housing estate called Broadmeadow with more than 1,000 homes, businesses, a new school and even a cricket pitch were thrown out by the government.

Now developers JG Lane & Estates are considering their options for the site just outside Ipswich in the parish of Sproughton, which Babergh District Council wants to see developed for commercial use.

John Jowitt, planning director with JG Land & Estate, said: “We are disappointed with the outcome of the decision.

“Having consulted extensively with the local community we have received overwhelming support for our proposals at Broadmeadow.

“In direct response to feedback received from the local community a primary school site was allocated alongside 16 hectares of public open space and a wildlife reserve.

“The secretary of state has confirmed that there was a difficult balance when considering the merits of our proposal.

“Positively, she confirmed that the Broadmeadow site is suitable for residential use and would have the potential to contribute towards an urban renaissance in the area.

“We are currently reviewing the decision with our professional team before deciding how best to proceed.”

The site has been unoccupied since the closure of the sugar factory in 2001 and until the Broadmeadow proposal there were no other offers for the land.

Babergh District Council opposed the scheme because it wanted the site to be reserved for developments which would lead to employment opportunities.

An appeal was lodged by JG Land Estates which led to a public inquiry held in June.

But planning inspector Richard Ogier has recommended that the plans be refused because the site is allocated for employment opportunities under the Local Plan. This decision was also backed by Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Was it right to reject the Broadmeadow development? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk